GHOST
'Opus Eponymous'
RISE ABOVE

Highly acclaimed Swedish Heavy Metal sextet Ghost make their paranormal purposes known with their debut album 'Opus Eponymous' released last year to sensational acclaim. For a band who focuses on Satanism as the core lyrical content and yet implores a Halloween stance to their music and dress code, the boys from Stockholm drag out the darkness from the graveyards and awaken the spirits surrounding the alter, cursing the main vicar of the band into eternal gloom and despair. Ghost may not be the Iron Maiden, but almost certainly a pioneer of 'Halloween Metal'. No wonder this band is known all over the place, this band has so much more to offer in time to come.

ENGRAVED DISILLUSION
'Embers Of Existence'

Somerset Melodic Death Metal newcomers Engraved Disillusion make their move with their debut album 'Embers Of Existence' now unleashed, collecting such influences from bands like The Dead Lay Waiting, Sorrow of Batavia and Wintersun, the quintet from Taunton unleash a torrent of sick riffs, harmonious melodies and unquestionable intricate musicianship. 'Embers Of Existence' is a symbol to the Somerset Metal scene that it is bursting with petals of power and is ready to assail the nationwide Metal music following. Without a doubt Engraved Disillusion are one of the next English Metal hopefuls and with this effort clearly demonstrate they have what it takes to be a well known Metal band.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

POISONWOOD
'Pseudo Utopia'

As majestic as the Indian Jones films and as brutal as an F5 tornado rampaging across Arkansas, American Melodic Death Metal sextet Poisonwood return with their savage slaughtering-of-an-album, in this instance their sophomore album 'Pseudo Utopia' (their second album in their two years existence). Fist-pumping a flurry of classic Melodic Death Metal tunes in the sound of the Gothenburg Metal style, but don't let that flounce you, organizing an unconformable assault of quick-paced music and a relentless ease of mass audio attacks, this is just the inaugural beginning for these bad boys.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

SLAVES TO FASHION
'Artistic Differences'
HANDS OF BLUE

Possibly the next big Progressive Metal band to emerge from Europe, essentially Slaves To Fashion make their feelings heard with their debut 2011 album 'Artistic Differences', with clear Queen and Kasabian influences on the rock side, the Norwegian quartet deliver a tasty outburst of soul-soothing music with a radio-friendly atmosphere riding on it, somewhat similar to A-Ha and their song 'the living daylights', even so Slaves To Fashion bring the beauty of chilling out to the masses on this release, this is probably the Norwegian album of the year 2011.

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

CALCINED
'Thwarted'

Like an avalanche that failed to go off, Calcined are perhaps one of the least musically apt bands from Switzerland, well, in fact they implement a sector of Brutal Death Metal into the ranks, collectively the music itself is good but the vocals lack clarity and are often grunted rather than growled. This being their debut EP 'Thwarted', the blastbeats, riffs and composure is sublime, the audio inserts in relation to the additional recordings are fairly decent, the vocals could be adapted but none the less their debut EP is not a complete failure, but the Swiss quartet are heading in the right direction, eventually the sound will improve.

[6.5] RHYS STEVENSON

FROSTHAMMER / DEMORIAN
'Old Times Glances Upon US'
SALUTE

Joining forces on the 2011 split release 'Old Times Glances Upon US' is Canada's Symphonic Black Metal quartet Frosthammer and Sweden's Black Metal duo Demorian. Frosthammer deliver the signature raw sound they have always carried on their releases and this ultimately sheds an atmospheric approach of dark dankness and chaotic depression in its suicidal form. Delivering a cold blast of winter-covered Symphonic Black metal is what Frosthammer does best and on this split they do not fail to impress. On the other half Demorian bring a furious excitement of brain-crushing Black Metal, raw blast-beats simmering under a wispy audio wave of raw vocals, fast and insane drumming coalescing with mid-paced guitars to add a further dimension to their side of this split. This is perhaps two of the most darkest Black Metal bands in the underground, just be aware that they don't take weak ears on this one, a split release not for the faint of heart.

[8] + [8.5]

DEMORIAN / ANCIENT WARLORD
'Infernal Antichristian Incantations'
SALUTE

Swedish Black Metal underground tyrants Demorian hit back with another split release, this time it is with Filipino Black Metal quartet Ancient Warlord under the release title of 'Infernal Antichristian Incantations'. Demorian carry on their trademark raw black metal parameter in relation to the ear-burning received from the scintillating drumming by the Swedish duo, sadly though this is not one of their best outings, but still is a well devised sound. Moving onto the second half of this split album is the Filipino quartet Ancient Warlord with their rather unethical sound of raw guitars humming and drumming providing a foundation for cold-hearted vocals. This is perhaps one of the Philippines darkest bands and essentially brings two continents together on this release, a truly explicit result of sensational Black Metal.

[7] + [8] RHYS STEVENSON

ASHEN REIGN
'An Angel Burden'

Fighting their way back from the studio is American Heavy Power Metal one-man band Ashen Reign, who is all done by Brent McDaniel and in a breathtaking style at that, fusing a mystical atmosphere to the backbone of his eccentric wielding of Heavy Metal to Power Metal to create a dynamic sound of which is totally unique. By far one of the best American Metal releases of this year, with soul and a sense of dedication clearly evident on his sophomore album 'An Angel Burden'. As extravagant as Devin Townsend of Canada, Brent McDaniel and his magical Ashen Reign are set to become legend.

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

BARBARIAN PROPHECIES
'Remember The Fallen'

Galician Black / Death Metal novices Barbarian Prophecies devour the horrific accounts of Auschwitz on their sophomore album 'Remember The Fallen', with artwork to symbolise this and sounds to mimic the negativity of the brutality experienced at such concentration camps. Fast, insanely brutal and despairingly dark, this is Spain's darkest side and inevitably one of the Spanish Metal scene's darkest album releases. The band however is not associated with the NSBM movement and should not be judged as such. For their second attempt at a mass metal break out, they have gone and done the right thing, kept it extreme and brain-challenging.

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

WYTCH HAZEL
'Surrender'

Lancashire Heavy Metal / Hard Rockers Wytch Hazel kick off their musical career with their 2011 single 'Surrender', clearly sounding off with influences of Iron Maiden, classic rock like Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Queen, this Preston quartet are just of a select number of bands who keep the New Wave of British Heavy Metal alive, scintillating riffs embedded on a rock 'n' roll drum pattern, this is a sign that the classic sounds of the drums and guitars are still there. As for Wytch Hazel this is a decent release and is a promising sign their debut release whether it will be an EP or album will be one to look exceedingly forward to.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

INHARMONIC
'Ugly'

Unleashing a torrential flood of mesmerising riffs, encapsulating blastbeats and intellectual vocals, Inharmonic are the next band of feisty Finns to emerge out of the Metal factory in Finland. With their debut EP 'Ugly' now under wraps, this is perhaps another band to contest the faltering Swedish Death Metal scene, although history between the two sides matches the brutality of the music. Furthermore Inharmonic expel any demons they may have had and with this release blast a hole in the sound barrier with such a force, the audio waves now pounding the eardrums of the listener may as well be dubbed 'Ugly'.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

STAINLESS
'Beerquest'

Sounding a little poor in the recording phase but respectfully could be categorized as 'Raw Thrash Metal', but for Germany's Stainless this is perhaps a signal of intent that they are aiming to improve their sound and production results. Conventionally sounding similar to fellow countrymen Holy Moses in the familiar sound of the Teutonic Thrash Metal vein, the North Rhine-Westphalia based quartet are more so ones who with the right decisions could make it big, for now though a number if improvements could be made, but their third demo 'Beerquest' is not a complete fail, but not a definite success either.

[7] RHYS STEVENSON

FALL TO OBLIVION
'A Word Of Advice'

Essex Melodic Metalcore bad boys Fall To Oblivion unleash a forensic search for immense brutality and cataclysmic rhythms to sanction the underground levelling of the Essex Metal scene. Sounding like their county counterparts Tides of Virtue, the Stamford-Le-Hope quintet fist-pump the speakers with a fury-laden audio blast of sickening slick riffs and brain-melting blastbeats alongside a gut-retching vocal array of mass proportions. Already in the final of the Rayleigh battle of the bands, this band is without a doubt the next big act to erupt out of the chasms of Essex and so the next stop for Fall To Oblivion? Nationwide domination.

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

ZOMBIFIED
'Backroom Eugenics'
GRIND SCENE

Gore lords Zombified return with their sickening tunes in the form of their second EP 'Backroom Eugenics', cursing more words and sensational music with the disturbed tone of zombies, gore and horror, the Death Metal version of Alice Cooper. Pummelling drumming acting as a foundation for the most tantalizing brutal onslaught of finger-snapping riffs and gut-rotting vocals, this is the darkest side of Northern Ireland unleashed, but also the heaviest that Northern Ireland perhaps has to offer. Zombified are leading the next infantry of British Death Metal and are continually flying the flag for the Northern Irish Metal scene.

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

FADING CIRCLES
'Cyber Whirlwind'

Although based in Romania, the Hungarian trio Fading Circles make their imminent return with their Progressive / Power Metal tune in the shape of their sophomore full-length 'Cyber Whirlwind'. Whilst the music itself has a tendency to shift speed slightly, the solo's do the talking and in this add a certain level of magic to the album. Whilst not conventionally fast like Sonata Arctica, Fading Circles tone down the speed and add a atmospheric feel to it, casting a mysticism shadow over the listener, but leaving them stumped to what has just happened, simply due to the clear fact that the music itself saddles within the Progressive Metal vein but the vocals sit in the Power Metal side and so therefore two genres collide, providing an unique experience.

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

INSINNERATOR
'Stalagmite Of Ice'

Making their debut is Texan Thrash Metal moguls Insinnerator and their debut album 'Stalagmite Of Ice', with their balls of fury sound and easy-to-recognize 'cowboy' accent. But don't let that y'all be put off, for this quartet bring in as much Slayer influence as Calgary has for beef. Fast, slick, sick and mesmerizingly beautiful, Insinnerator is the new breed of Texan Thrash, scintillating any previous releases with a stroke of neat musicianship. Guaranteed for a make-shift moshpit and wall of death, the four Americans know their Thrash inside and out and were born to be insane Thrashers. Just don't wince at the album or when the band stabs you with a 'Stalagmite Of Ice'.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

SYNTHETIC BREED
'Perpetual Motion Machine'
SYMBIOTIC

Cybernetics spring to mind with Synthetic Breed's sophomore album 'Perpetual Motion Machine', the Australian Cyber / Industrial Death Metal trio (now quartet) exert a force of brutal heaviness with glorious funk tunes in a parallel motion of fury-laden dance grooves. Whilst not as heavy as fellow countrymen The Berzerker, the industrial parts can be likened to that of Swiss band Breach The Void. What could make the sound much more appertaining would be synthesizers, adding a further industrial feel to it and a sense of atmosphere. None the less this is one album to captivate fans and music critics alike, a true blend of brutal music with body-moving pulsation.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

LOSNA
'Wild Hallucinations'

Fourteen years have eclipsed since Brazil's Crossover Thrashers Losna came up with their return statement, yet they return with their sophomore album 'Wild Hallucinations' with a little disappointment setting in, the thrash stance seems to have depleted, but none the less this is a release with a bowlful of guts and strategic brutality on all levels. With the bass guitar clearly heard, it adds a sense of raw music to it, adding a new level of customized harshness. With Losna 'Wild Hallucinations' is a fair decent attempt, but some minor changes are needed, the music needs a little more Sepultura in it.

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

NOCTURN DEAMBULATION
'The Grand Opening'

French Death Metal newbies Nocturn Deambulation implore their own stance on the metal genre with a circus and surgical procedure-based debut album entitled 'The Grand Opening', so much for the merry go round as this album takes the listener on a windy maze of ferocious drumming, exquisite vocals and phantasmagoria in lieu of their ravenous riffs. Whilst the band immerse themselves within the repertoire of la cirque d'hiver, this is perhaps an entirely new sound on it's own. Majestically sounding and essentially brutal, 'The Grand Opening' is without a doubt French Death Metal album of the year 2011.

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

AUTUMN SUN
'Autumn Sun'

Emerging from the dark shadows of Gauteng is South African Gothic / Melodic Death Metal quartet Autumn Sun with their self-titled album (presumably debut), featuring a fast blast of racy tracks to inflame any ears with a burning sensation. Whilst the Melodic Death Metal takes the reigns, the Gothic Metal sits softly in the background in the form of soft female vocals and harmonic keyboard notes which moulds to become a true entrancing mix of ingenious musicianship. Autumn Sun are set to become a promising band in the South African Metal scene and are sure to gain global attention.

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

DEMORIAN
'Back To the Glorious Past’ + 'Vikingpath' + Excerpt from upcoming album "Excerpt From A Diary"
 AZERMEDOTH / KVLT666 / DANGER OF DEATH

Demorian is a Swedish Black Metal duo compromising of Salute Record’s owner as one of the musicians. Crisp Swedish Black Metal is produced from the speakers as well as a cold and bitter atmosphere. Winter has come with their debut album 'Back To the Glorious Past’ released back in 2009 as darkness encases the room and a cold wintry wind blasts around resembling the powerful sonata’s produced by the music. Their second album 'Vikingpath' released last year in only 66 copies, brings more of their darkened souls to the frontline, cursing the shadows of Pagan Black Metal and it's nature counterpart, Demorian perform an unholy ritual to summon the darker sounds once again, with a fetish for raw sounds and atmospheric senses being unbound to the Swedish Black Metal scene, Demorian revel in the abyss. Finishing off with a little sampler is their unreleased tracks 'Excerpt From A Diary' and 'Prypiat Angels' (referring to the ghost town near the Chernobyl area in the Ukraine), colder and bitterer than previous works, this is a sumptuous pre-listener in relation to their upcoming album, a subtle but apt enough proof that Demorian has just begun.

[7] + [8] + [8] RHYS STEVENSON

DESIGN THE SKYLINE
'Neveah'
VICTORY

Revered as one of the most hated band in history, but in all honesty that's just people's jealousy. In comes Design The Skyline, an American septet mixing a whole new genre from separate individual tastes, if Design The Skyline was a recipe it would either equate to the full American breakfast or the traditional English roast - they are not edible, just to clarify. Essentially listeners will realize a myriad of music genres meld into one tune, but this in itself seems to have worked out perfectly. Catering for the many emotions humans feel, this Corpus Christi band takes the listener on a journey through space, time, emotions and general life itself, cascading the many atrocities and numerous positives experienced during a lifetime. Since their demo song 'Surrounded By Silence' - of which was dubbed 'electro-Deathcore', the band has finely tuned and tweaked their sounds to fit neatly in line with the other sounds as seen on the song 'break free from your life' - having slow and fast trance periods amongst generic Metalcore-ish drum patterns. What puts people off is the scene / emo look, but don't forget these bands: Lordi, Black Veil Brides, Marilyn Manson amongst others, totally proven their critics wrong and eradicated any prejudicial beings from the face of the planet. Intellectually without the hate, perhaps the publicity would not have been as grand, but that's just a possibility for it should be seen that all the tracks on this album cater for a wide array of music tastes: trance music, post-hardcore, Deathcore, Metalcore, Industrial / Thrash Metal (as seen on 'reality away'), Mathcore and even technical Deathcore if precision is required. Regardless of the negativity, Design The Skyline are pioneers of a new sound, essentially 'Experimental Electro-Deathcore' and with that in mind are set to push the boundaries further and further, the storm has just begun, 'Neveah' was just the artillery, bring on the tank infantry.

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

DISHARMONIC
'Impossible'

The first ever song unleashed by Spanish (Andalusian) Death Metal trio Disharmonic qualifies as an absolute hell-blazer, fanatical drumming simmers in the background with the force of 1000 raging bulls whilst the matadors Bao Brurial, Javi and Kike tame the beast they have created. Residing within the Brutal Death Metal intonation, Disharmonic fail not to up their ante and give their first attempt and release a proper erotic beating, forged with influences from the fast and heavy Scandinavian Death Metal scene, they use that as a foundation but add the Iberian and Mediterranean heavy hardness to the affray and result in what is billed as possibly the best ever release by a Spanish Metal band in 2011.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

ELDERGAAD
'Children Of Gaad'

If Eldergaad was a football team they would be Liverpool FC, up and down all the time. The American Thrash Metal quartet emerges with their debut album 'Children Of Gaad' with as much sleaze and difference than Slayer and Megadeth would have. Whilst not exactly fast on some tracks, the heaviness is still there, yet it sounds similar to that of Slayer. However they do exert a sound that suits them to the bone, one sound that is different and yet strangely bizarre in that the speed of each song changes from riff to riff, so with little consistency this is soon to be a 'what just happened' album. None the less this is a band who could easily get noticed, expect whiplash from this album to be imminent though,

[6.5] RHYS STEVENSON

POWERSTORM
'Act I'

Sixteen years it took for this moment, was it worth the wait? Very much so. Greek Power Metal one-man project Powerstorm (Kostas Falieros) made this moment the best that could ever be, a powerful yet exciting array of high vocals and majestic riffs aligned with some of the most insane solo's ever heard from the Greek Metal scene. Whilst 'Act I' has the power and majestic nature of the Ancient Greek folks people and gods, Powerstorm bring the might of Zeus to Mount Olympus in this fast and lively release, this is something modern Greece should cherish, the notion of having a Greek mastermind, one to rival Canada's Devin Townsend. Powerstorm is one band to watch out for, this has just begun and that was 'Act I'.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

SAPIENCY
'Fate's End'

Fresh from the baby ward in Frankfurt-Am-Main hospital is little newcomers Sapiency, the German sextet implementing a hard blast of Melodic Death / Thrash Metal with the driven force of Germany's hard and heavy hitting twist on Metal music. Their debut album 'Fate's End' released last year echo's a complete sound of fist-beating vocals and ear-ripping music to infuse any negative atmosphere with a get-up and mosh aesthetic as a replacement. Sapiency with this effort are surely to be snapped up by a record label without a doubt, possibly someone like Metal Blade or Napalm Records. A true testament to the burgeoning German Metal scene, a band to watch without fail.

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

TOKKS VOITTO
'Formation'

Wondering whether the sauerkraut went off in the fridge, but for Germany's latest Melodic Death Metal conjure, this is half the case. Tokks Voitto excrete their debut EP 'Formation' with a load of question marks surrounding it, whilst the music is near enough suitable to be accepted, the vocals are somewhat of a mystery, not only is there no clean vocals as usually seen in Melodic Death Metal, the lyrics are inaudible and thus resulting in a near poor EP. But for this German sextet, this is just the beginning as the only way for these guys is up. So whilst the vocals leave a disappointing aftertaste, the music itself provides a fruitful lavish taste of erotic melodies.

[6.5] RHYS STEVENSON

UNLEASH THE ARCHERS
'Demons Of The Astrowaste'

Racing across the North American plains and mountains is Canadian storm-troopers Unleash The Archers returning with their second offering in the form of another album loaded with insanely heavenly musical compositions and a sense of majestic adventure. Wielding a powerful thunderstruck alliance of Melodic Death Metal with Power Metal, this British Columbia quintet unleash a catastrophic landslide of ferocious riffs and brain-battering drumming along with vocals on an emphatic scale, contrasting with the highs and lows of the vocal range. With 'Demons Of The Astrowaste' now in their repertoire, this is one sign that Unleash The Archers should be signed, this band is to get big and by far engulf the globe with a powerful audio blast of female-fronted metal.

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

WILD
'La Nueva Orden'

Playing la salsa and la flamenco is Madrid's Heavy / Power Metal newbies Wild with their spicy debut album 'La Nueva Orden', now whilst conventionally the lyrics are in Spanish, this does not deter the fact the music carries the luscious sounds and reverts the vocals into a side order. For the Spanish quintet, this is one step they will take in their stride, as did fellow countrymen Avalanche. Intellectually sounding reminiscent of 3 Inches of Blood in relation to the constant fixed beats and mentally high vocals. Sensationally as the album is the true essence is yet to be found and so Wild have a challenge ahead, one they will as shown by this effort, will be taken head-on.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

ACID RAIN
'Shallow Paradise'

Returning with their third album is Argentina's Progressive Metal novices Acid Rain, 'Shallow Paradise' features a cleverly weaved sound of high falsetto vocals, fast drumming and melodic atmospheric music. This marks a turning point in their nine year career, a milestone of bridging Progressive Metal with classical, melodic and Power Metal elements. A truly remarkable work of lust, sleaze and pure South American musicianship, Acid Rain are certain to cause a storm in the underground and with this album under their belt, all that's left is to ask for more.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

BETRAYING THE MARTYRS
'Breathe New Life'
'LISTENABLE'

French massacre mob Betraying The Martyrs unleash intense chaos with their heavy-TNT album 'Breathe New Life', a ballistic mix of insane riffs, breakdowns and cataclysmic drumming encased by gritty and clean vocals. With a fist-punching atmospheric blast-out as the basic focal point on this album, this really is a hearing-aid murderer. Betraying The Martyrs are vastly becoming the next big band from France and definitely one of the latest heaviest bands from the French Metal scene,; watch this band at all costs.

RHYS STEVENSON [8]

DERELICT EARTH
'And So Fell The Last Leaves...'

One of genre debating here, for France's one-man project Derelict Earth has Death Metal vocals, with near Black Metal (or if you're lucky to hear it) drumming and well out of sync guitar playing, whilst the atmosphere on the 2011 album 'And So Fell The Last Leaves...' is one of nature, little depression and solitude, the overall product could be a bit more enthusiastic, without hitting crudeness, the album seems to be whacked together without any constant patterns, almost as anything will do. But a decent attempt in the end, hopefully the third album will be a shade better.

[4.5] RHYS STEVENSON

ERADIKAL INSANE
'The Dementia Process'

For the new boys of Marseille, their debut EP 'The Dementia Process' is one carrying a health and safety warning, for the brutality and extreme heaviness in terms of the breakdowns and painful riffs ex-cruciate any pain with your hearing to its maximum level. The French Death Metal / Metalcore quintet blast themselves with enough explosive to demolish any recording studio in ten seconds. Whilst the overall production carries a powerful presence, the true essence lies not with croissants or Marseille football club, but rather with the cranial-crushing of brutal metal in its extreme form. Eradikal Insane is a band to watch in the French metal scene, a real promising act.

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

EXISTANCE
'Existance'

Hailing from France is Heavy Metal quartet Existance with their debut self-titled album, whilst they play Heavy Metal it is not as emphatic as Iron Maiden, even so whilst this is a decent listen, it is not one of those that would be renowned for anything new or unique. However for the crew from Clermont-de-l'Oise, this is just the beginning, the only way is up. Overall this is not a disappointing album but it's not an exciting one either, a few tweaks are needed here and there.

[5] RHYS STEVENSON

DEMONIC RESURRECTION
'The Return To Darkness'
CANDLELIGHT / DEMONSTEALER

Indian veterans Demonic Resurrection returned with their third full-length offering with an imprint of Candlelight Records to their name, conjuring up the mystic shaman's of forgotten times is just one of the insane developments surrounding their fruitful third album 'The Return To Darkness', released last year, the Indian quintet immerse the listener in a transported world of melancholic melodies and chaotic blastbeats, all supported by the dual-tone vocals of Sahil 'Demonstealer' Makhija. Now whilst the monsoons consume the Indian sub-continent in a furious ever-progressive wave, Demonic Resurrection are bringing bigger and better sounds to the Global Metal mania, with a net cast over the eye's of Europe, Demonic Resurrection are flying the flag for the Indian Metal scene and can prove their music is hotter than the spiciest Vindaloo.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

HATE IN FLESH
'Wandering Through Despair'

Emerging from the depths of Iberia is the latest force to caress the Portuguese Metal scene with a sense of fury and intact brutality, the Melodic Death Metal quintet Hate In Flesh make their glittering debut with their full-length album 'Wandering Through Despair', collecting a feisty frenzy of sexy riffs, brain-shitting blast-beats and venomous vocals to all come together and unleash the clear as crystal answer to Swedish titans Scar Symmetry, with a progressive beat lodged within the Hate In Flesh aura, this is one band that should be paid notable attention to. Portugal has now got a force to harness and unleash upon Europe, this is just the beginning for Hate In Flesh.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

LAPIS LAZULI
'A Loss Made Forever'

As soothing as the Scandinavian female vocals are, nothing is more operatic and calm than Swedish Symphonic Melodic Metallers Lapis Lazuli, returning with their second wave of soul-chilling music in the form of 'A Loss Made Forever', whilst less operatic than fellow countrymen Therion and less symphonic than Nightwish, Lapis Lazuli are pushing boundaries in the softer tunes of metal to finalize a sound that fits their image, a sound of complete sonic mysticism and power, a true masterpiece, a band to watch out for at all costs.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

RECKLESS MANSLAUGHTER
'Storm Of Vengeance'

As heavy as the old masters deemed it to be, old school Death Metal immersed the latest German quartet band to reignite an old sound, the band being Reckless Manslaughter with their debut album 'Storm Of Vengeance', featuring just over half an hour's worth of prime raw Death Metal, one for the old guards to muster, as neck-breaking beats emanate the background riffs and the disembowelling sound of gritty growling. Reckless Manslaughter is here to prove that the new styles are stemmed from the old styles, a true German blast of uncomprehending music.

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

ARCTURON
'The Eight Thorns Conflict'

Swiss Melodic Death Metal quartet make no defending movements in their music, this is full-on balls of fury, so much so it may end up in absolute castration, their debut album 'The Eight Thorns Conflict' links up the pacey beat of Melodic Metal with the insane brutality kicks of Death Metal, whilst this is nothing new, every band has a different sound, Arcturon add atmosphere to their music, giving it a certain level of dynamic freedom, however the downside is there lacks some clean vocals which compliment the melodic parts, hark none the less this is a release of decent proportions.

[7] RHYS STEVENSON